Now Commenting On:

Rios rumors spark as Yankees enter picture

Rios rumors spark as Yankees enter picture

Email

Print

By Scott Merkin
/
MLB.com |

CLEVELAND -- The Yankees have renewed interest in White Sox right fielder Alex Rios, according to a baseball source, but that potential trade would need Rios' approval, with the Yankees one of six teams on his no-trade list.

Rios didn't talk specifically about the Yankees possibility on Tuesday before the team's game against the Indians, during which he left in the eighth inning after fouling a ball off his left foot in the eighth inning. He did speak briefly before the game about this entire process moving into Wednesday's 3 p.m. CT non-waiver Trade Deadline wearing him down a bit.

"Yep, I don't want to talk about trades," said Rios with a bit of a forced smile. "There's been too many things being said. It's a distraction right now.

"But hopefully it's Aug. 1 and it's in the past. Whatever happens, if I'm here, I'm here. If I'm somewhere else ... It would be nice for this to be all over, you know?"

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has talked to Paul Kinzer, Rios' agent, a few times to keep him updated. The rumored trade talk involving the Pirates and Rios appears to have lost most of its steam. Talks centered around Rios had quieted down enough over the past few days to where it looked as if he would finish the season in Chicago, until the Yankees entered the picture.

According to Rios, dealing with this present scenario is crazier personally than when he was claimed off waivers by the White Sox from the Blue Jays in 2009.

"There are more teams involved in talks and more discussions than back then," Rios said. "But yeah, a little crazy."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.